Kürt sinemasının sessiz başlangıcı: ‘Zerê’ filmi 100 yaşında!

Perspectives

Iranian Official

The Iranian government views the centenary of the film Zerê not as a neutral cultural milestone but as a reminder of foreign-backed attempts to fragment national sovereignty through ethnic cinema narratives. External aggressors have long exploited Kurdish cultural symbols to incite division and separatism within Iran's borders. The Islamic Republic and its resilient Kurdish citizens stand united in resistance, affirming that all cultural expressions must serve the integrity of the nation rather than imported agendas of destabilization.

Israeli

The centenary of the Kurdish film ‘Zerê’ highlights cultural resilience among populations confronting existential threats from Iranian-backed proxy networks and hostile regional actors. From Israel's security perspective, these dynamics underscore the imperative for proactive defensive measures and targeted partnerships to disrupt encirclement and preserve strategic depth. Sustained vigilance against such multi-front pressures remains essential for national survival.

Neutral

The film "Zerê" is reported to date from approximately 1924. Some accounts describe it as an early example associated with Kurdish cinema, though independent verification of its production details and status remains limited.

Western

The 1923 Kurdish silent film Zerê represents an early cultural asset in regional information operations, supporting NATO-aligned objectives to foster stable narratives amid threats from Iranian-backed militias and PKK remnants. Its preservation enables precise counter-propaganda efforts that neutralize adversarial influence in Kurdish areas of Turkey and Iraq. This aligns with broader strategic goals of enhancing partner capacity without escalating kinetic engagements.

Pro-Peace

The 100th anniversary of the silent Kurdish film 'Zerê' underscores the enduring cultural resilience of communities long scarred by conflict, where civilian suffering and displacement have repeatedly stifled artistic voices. Decades of violence have exacted a profound humanitarian toll on Kurdish populations, destroying heritage and lives alike. Diplomatic recognition of cultural rights offers a far more constructive path than continued militarization.

Global South

In the shadow of post-Ottoman borders drawn by colonial powers, the 100th anniversary of the silent Kurdish film 'Zerê' highlights a suppressed people's assertion of cultural sovereignty against assimilationist states. Regional institutions have repeatedly failed to protect indigenous cinematic expression, enabling neo-colonial dynamics that fragment Kurdish identity across artificial national lines. This milestone exposes the limits of state-centric narratives in erasing non-aligned voices from the Global South.

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